Nick Wright previews this weekend's clash between York City Knights and Hull FC
Alex Reid looks at whether the once ever-present appearance of English clubs in the later stages of the Champions League is set to become a thing of the past
Craig Dobson looks at QPR's decision to sack Neil Warnock and replace him with Mark Hughes
James Tompkinson reviews an excellent pre-season victory for the York City Knights against Yorkshire rivals Leeds Rhinos
Michael Sneddon
Monday
Derwent 1sts 4-0 Halifax 3rds
Langwith 1sts 1-1 Derwent 3rds
Vanbrugh 1sts 3-0 Langwith 2nds
Goodricke 1sts 2-0 Alcuin 2nds
Tuesday
Alcuin 1sts 5-0 Wentworth 2nds
James 1sts 4-0 Goodricke 3rds
Thursday
Halifax 1sts 1-0 Derwent 2nds
Wentworth 1sts 2-0 Vanbrugh 3rds
I don’t expect to see any shocks this week as there are a lot of mismatches throughout the week. Greg Gardner has his girlfriend up from his homeland so expect to see him showing off and trying to get on the score sheet with at least one of Derwent’s four. Elsewhere, Langwith are up against the team that shocked them last year but expect a (slightly) more positive result this time round. I’m predicting a dream week for the big boys of fantasy football with goals and clean sheets all over the gaffe.
Adam Lewis
Monday
Derwent 1sts 6 -0 Halifax 3rds
Langwith 1sts 2-2 Derwent 3rds
Vanbrugh 1sts 7-0 Langwith 2nds
Goodricke 1sts 2-0 Alcuin 2nds
Tuesday
Alcuin 1sts 8-0 Wentworth 2nds
James 1sts 7-0 Goodricke 3rds
Thursday
Halifax 1sts 3-1 Derwent 2nds
Wentworth 1sts 1-0 Vanbrugh 3rds
This week could see a lot of goals, with some of the favourites playing some of the less-fancied teams. I expect Vanbrugh to come back strongly, with Sheldrick marshalling his team to a big win (Oliver hat-trick). Derwent 1sts could have difficulty getting goals straight away against perhaps the best thirds defence in the cup but when they get their first I expect more to come. Alcuin firsts and James firsts will be wanting to send a message to the other big teams, and get pretty comprehensive wins.
Langwith firsts vs Derwent thirds should be interesting, where I expect Liam Griffin's long throws will cause confusion for the Langwith defence but I can see Langwith causing some problems for them too.
I can see the over-rated O'Shea bagging
Goodricke firsts will have difficulty scoring against a well-drilled Alcuin 2s but I can see the over-rated O'Shea bagging and what I consider the best defence in the competition not conceding again.
Wenty firsts have impressed so far and will be wanting to secure their place to the next stage so I can see a cheeky 1-0 coming their way. Halifax firsts attack and dynamic midfield should be too much for Derwent seconds. After the shock result last week, I can't see any of first teams losing.
Mathew Witherwick
Monday
Derwent 1sts 3-0 Halifax 3rds
Langwith 1sts 2-1 Derwent 3rds
Vanbrugh 1sts 6-0 Langwith 2nds
Goodricke 1sts 4-0 Alcuin 2nds
Tuesday
Alcuin 1sts 6-0 Wentworth 2nds
James 1sts 3-0 Goodricke 3rds
Thursday
Halifax 1sts 4-1 Derwent 2nds
Wentworth 1sts 1-2 Vanbrugh 3rds
My picks to win still haven't changed, Vanbrugh to win the cup, James 1sts to win the plate. I think Van 2nds will sneak through along with Alcuin! Also Van 3rds to beat Wentworth 1sts!
Myles Preston
Monday
Derwent 1sts 5-0 Halifax 3rds
Langwith 1sts 1-1 Derwent 3rds
Vanbrugh 1sts 2-0 Langwith 2nds
Goodricke 1sts 3-2 Alcuin 2nds
Tuesday
Alcuin 1sts 6-0 Wentworth 2nds
James 1sts 2-0 Goodricke 3rds
Thursday
Halifax 1sts 3-0 Derwent 2nds
Wentworth 1sts 1-0 Vanbrugh 3rds
My favourites are still the same - Goodricke, Derwent, and Alcuin. Expect Derwent to run straight through Halifax, but Langwith firsts will continue their poor run in college football - since winning the title in Autumn term 06/07, they’ve been going nowhere, and fans are calling for Langwith Shaun to come out of retirement yet again. Vanbrugh firsts will bounce back this week, but will it be too little too late? Goodricke firsts will narrowly beat a plucky Alcuin seconds side, with Pickard bagging a 45 yarder, and Onwudike turning Lewis inside out at least three times, before slotting it in the bottom right hand corner. Expect a 'lucky' O'Shea hat-trick as well, due to goalkeeper Dave Ambro's weak back preventing him from ever going to ground (apparently he's been carrying some really heavy luggage around for the last couple of weeks).
Alcuin firsts will batter Wentworth, with goals from Delaney, Cox, and McDermott, and James firsts will bore onlookers yet again in a 2-0 win over Goodricke thirds. Halifax, marshalled by Shaun Evans, will do the business over a very physical Derwent seconds team that will have David 'Bad Mood' Slater sent off, and Wentworth firsts will edge Vanbrugh thirds.
Shaun Evans
Monday
Derwent 1sts 4-0 Halifax 3rds
Langwith 1sts 2-2 Derwent 3rds
Vanbrugh 1sts 5-0 Langwith 2nds
Goodricke 1sts 3-0 Alcuin 2nds
Tuesday
Alcuin 1sts 6-0 Wentworth 2nds
James 1sts 3-0 Goodricke 3rds
Thursday
Halifax 1sts 3-0 Derwent 2nds
Wentworth 1sts 2-0 Vanbrugh 3rds
I wouldn’t expect too many upsets this week with most of ‘favourites’ likely to get their victories. Dom O’Shea appears to be well and truly in the goal-scoring groove and with Tom Wilson providing the service I’d expect a few more goals from him on Monday.
After last week’s upset Vanburgh will expect a more customary solid performance this week and I’d predict a comfortable victory for them. Ali Prince (a Jari Litmanen type player with a bit of pace) has the creativity in his locker to unlock defenses – I’d hope that he’s heavily involved in UYAFC next season and its perhaps time for him to be given a chance from the start this week.
I’d hope that Halifax will continue their progress this week. Mark Lund has thus far expertly marshaled the Halifax defense whereas the Dom Green-Connor Brennan forward partnership looks ever-more prosperous. After concerted pressure last week, James seconds were eventually broken-down - Halifax will again have to be patient this week against a potentially tricky Derwent seconds side.
Sneddon is the third member of Stavros Flatley
If I had their movement I wouldn't have a problem starting up front for Goodricke 2nds.
I am not even going to aim for grace or humility. In your face Matt Witherwick! And in the collective faces of those who predicted a hammering for Wenty 2nds. Alcuin were extremely good and thoroughly deserved their win, but those watching know that Wenty 2s defended well and but for the Alcuin keeper's alertness off his line, could have nicked a goal or two. Plus Dan Hyde dived (ok in retrospect he probably didn't).
Great result for Derwent 2nds, Dom Green and Connor Brennan were kept VERY quiet by Waller and Clark. Paul Ward-Jones being generally rapid also kept Oli Fahey out the game.
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